A hotline aimed at supporting victims of xenophobia-induced violence failed to go live yesterday due to technical glitches.
This is according to the SA Council of Churches (SACOC), which planned to roll out the hotline with the support of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). This initiative is supported by more than 30 civil societies in SA.
The general-secretary of SACOC, Eddie Makue, says: “We are expecting the line to go live today. SACOC is currently working with Telkom, which is currently in the process of installing the lines.”
He says they do not have a number at the moment, but hope to have it by the end of the day.
According to Makue, this toll-free hotline will be linked to the police. “We have agreed on a rapid response mechanism. We will set up the hotline in the same location where we will collate complaints from victims.”
He says the Johannesburg-based call centre will employ six social workers to receive calls, alert the police and community of any incidents, and provide counselling to victims.
“We are planning to brand the hotline 'AXA' - Anti Xenophobia Alliance - and will launch a campaign to promote the initiative to the community.”
Police in Gauteng and the Western Cape have issued separate contact numbers for the public to inform them of outbreaks of xenophobic violence, or threats thereof. They have appealed to the public not to abuse the services.
There have already been a few incidences of xenophobic violence, and according to SACOC, the problem is expected to escalate.
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